Evaluating Suns Offseason Moves

Mike Budenholzer was definitively the best coach that was available this coaching carousel cycle - and still is.

The two-time coach of the year and 2021 NBA champ has the Gregg Popovich coaching tree pedigree that guides his philosophies surrounding how a team coached by him is operated.

The accomplishments, the regular season record, the way the majority of his former players speak of him do the talking. Budenholzer is a phenomenal coach - and the Suns are clearly a passion project of his.

The Suns made the correct move here.

NBA Draft Picks

The Suns famously owned the 22nd pick in the draft this year - which was held just two weeks ago.

Although there were whispers that the pick could be shopped for "win now" veteran help, the franchise decided to not only pick a cost-controlled rookie, but also traded down to acquire future picks that lead to also selecting Oso Ighodaro in the second round.

Ryan Dunn was clearly the focus of the draft though, and by all accounts he was very high on the Suns' board going into the first night of festivities.

Getting out of the last draft until 2031 where the pick is solely controlled by the franchise with two malleable and relatively cheap prospects - along with a potential UDFA steal in Jalen Bridges - feels like a near best-case scenario here.

Free Agency

The Suns didn't do anything flashy here.

There isn't necessarily anything wrong with that either, as the Suns fortified two massive holes off the bench while retaining pieces that have done admirable jobs in general in Phoenix.

Monte Morris is an obvious upgrade over the committee-style approach the Suns had for the backup point guard spot in 2023-24 - fans have been quick to forget truly how effective Morris was prior to being slowed down by a hamstring injury last season.

Plumlee also serves as a tangible, if not seismic, upgrade over Drew Eubanks. He does virtually everything Eubanks can, but better, while also being a better passer.

Royce O'Neale got what has been hailed as a bargain deal for Phoenix, while the contract is also structured in a way that it can be traded easier. Ditto for Josh Okogie.

Damion Lee was a necessity to retain following Eric Gordon's departure. Bol Bol was a no-brainer to bring back if he was willing to take another minimum deal.

The Suns approached this free agency in a much more calculated fashion, and it could end up paying dividends from game one this upcoming season.